Pages

Surlingham and South Yare Year List

Friday, 18 April 2014

I got 99 problems but a patch ain't one HIT ME

Any excuse to get that lyric into a blog post title; needless to say I am up to 99 for the patch year list. A reeling Grasshopper Warbler brought up the number of Jay Z early this morning, although not in the usual early arrival spot, this one was in the corner of the reserve near the gun club. Elsewhere, 3 pairs of Shelduck on the lagoon smashed my record count for this species. Interesting to watch the reaction of the 2 resident pairs as the third arrived. Very aggravated, but the peace that ensued suggests the lagoon can cope with 3 pairs. However, a lurking Fox may have had other ideas this morning, eyeing up the Shelduck and the Gadwall with intent. Great mammal moment.

Marsh Harrier activity has been very interesting of late. 4 Different individuals have been seen in the last 2 weeks:

A regular 'silver'backed' male, colouration similar to that of 'Eastern' Marsh Harrier. He was seen dropping food into the reedbed, and (presumably) a female below responded.

A second male, typical plumage

A third male, juvenile, almost cream head and brown upper-parts rather than silver. A confusing individual on first glance.

An adult female, rarely seen but present in the last 2 weeks. Perhaps on a nest.

A first at Church Marsh- I heard Reed Warbler before Sedge this year! No doubt Sedge have been present longer, but when I returned from Scotland it was Reed I encountered first. Also of note, a 'mixed singing' Willow Warbler. The tone was clearly that of a Willow Warbler, but this bird was copying the song pattern of a Chiffchaff. I have never come across this before but it would seem it is not as rare as my own experience would suggest. More information on this here: http://deanar.org.uk/general/articles/wwmixedsong.htm#wwccswitcher

Other firsts for the year included 21 Sand Martins over Rockland Broad (2 over the house this morning) and 2 House Martin, over the house.

Yesterday Debs and I enjoyed a pleasant (and in the end frustrating) trip to Minsmere. The frustrating bit was driving away, discussing the fact we had not found a RR Swallow, only to be told we had missed one near the old carpark! That's birding I suppose. We can't really complain, for this wonderful reserve still provided us with a great range of species. A Nightingale was singing near the work centre, and was our first bird upon arrival. Not bad! I also came across an alba Wagtail, then realised others were lookin at it too, so not really a find! A striking bird, although picture below doesn't really do it justice. A Raven had been reported from the reserve, and we did see a large Corvid getting stick from the local Lapwing. It could well have been a Raven, but I won't be submitting it! The scrape was decent, with Med, Caspian and Little Gull, Dunlin, Turnstone, Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Sandwich Terns in-off.

With things to do like prepare for an Easter Egg Hunt, we had lunch in the car before heading home.

Finally, the last 3 nights, I have stood outside around 9pm and listened to the eerie screech of a Barn Owl. He's back.

No comments:

Post a Comment

About Me

I'm Jim, and I teach in Beccles which is a nice change from Thetford. I have always been interested in wildlife, but have been birding seriously since uni, where I penned a dissertation on a history of man and nature at Minsmere RSPB reserve.
I have been birding in Ecuador, Estonia, Thailand and Argentina, and closer to home I was the recipient of the JMHF grant and spent two weeks volunteering on Fair Isle.
I enjoy studying Bats, Butterflies, Moths and Dragonflies; anything that flies it would seem! Much of term time is taken up with teaching and planning, but I am a keen patch birder as well as rarity hunter
.
I am volunteer Assistant Warden at my patch of RSPB Surlingham Church Marsh. I am also a mentor for conservation group A Focus On Nature. It is a privilege to be asked to be a mentor for AFON, and I look forward to helping young people connect with the natural world. I also offer local private guided wildlife tours. I believe connecting with the countryside can have a positive effect on the mental health of the nation, and I hope the next generation can reap the benefits whilst ensuring the sustainability of habitats at home and abroad.